Cleaning apparatus and image forming apparatus

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus that cleans an image bearing member on which a toner image is formed, includes first and second brushes which are rotatable and remove toner by abutment against the image bearing member, wherein the first and second brushes rotate in counter directions, a container for containing the toner removed by the first brush and the second brush, and a rubbing member that rubs both of the first brush and the second brush.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A cleaning apparatus that cleans an image bearing member on which a toner image is formed, comprising: 
       first and second brushes, which are rotatable, remove toner by abutment against the image bearing member,  
       wherein a rotating direction of said first brush in an abutment portion of said first brush against the image bearing member is toward of a position of said second brush, and a rotating direction of said second brush in an abutment portion of said second brush against the image bearing member is toward said first brush;  
       containing means for containing the toner removed by said first brush and said second brush; and  
       a rubbing member that rubs said first brush and said second brush.  
     
     
       2. A cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said rubbing member is disposed in a vicinity of a straight line connecting a center of a rotation axis of said first brush and a center of a rotation axis of said second brush. 
     
     
       3. A cleaning apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said rubbing member is disposed at a side apart from said image bearing member with respect to the straight line. 
     
     
       4. A cleaning apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein an angle defined by the straight line and a straight line connecting a position in which said first brush and said rubbing member are in contact with each other and the center of a rotation axis of said first brush is 30° or less. 
     
     
       5. A cleaning apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein an angle defined by the straight line and a straight line connecting a position in which said second brush and said rubbing member are in contact with each other and the center of a rotation axis of said second brush is 30° or less. 
     
     
       6. A cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said cleaning apparatus is movable into contact with and separable from the image bearing member. 
     
     
       7. A cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first brush is spaced from said second brush by a predetermined space. 
     
     
       8. A cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said rubbing member splashes the toner removed by said first brush and said second brush toward a side counter to a side on which the image bearing member is disposed. 
     
     
       9. A cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the image bearing member is a photosensitive member. 
     
     
       10. A cleaning apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said cleaning apparatus is detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus. 
     
     
       11. A cleaning apparatus that cleans a recording material bearing member that bears and conveys a recording material for transferring a toner image on an image bearing member onto the recording material, said cleaning apparatus comprising: 
       first and second brushes, which are rotatable, remove toner by abutment against said recording material bearing member,  
       wherein a rotating direction of said first brush in an abutment portion of said first brush against the recording material bearing member is toward said second brush, and a rotating direction of said second brush in an abutment portion of said second brush against the recording material bearing member is toward said first brush;  
       containing means for containing the toner removed by said first brush and said second brush; and  
       a rubbing member that rubs said first brush and said second brush.  
     
     
       12. A cleaning apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said rubbing member is disposed in a vicinity of a straight line connecting between a center of a rotation axis of said first brush and a center of a rotation axis of said second brush. 
     
     
       13. A cleaning apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said rubbing member is disposed at a side apart from said recording material bearing member with respect to the straight line. 
     
     
       14. A cleaning apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein an angle defined by the straight line and a straight line connecting a position in which said first brush and said rubbing member are in contact with each other and the center of a rotation axis of said first brush is 30° or less. 
     
     
       15. A cleaning apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein an angle defined by the straight line and a straight line connecting a position in which said second brush and said rubbing member are in contact with each other and the center of a rotation axis of said second brush is 30° or less. 
     
     
       16. A cleaning apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said cleaning apparatus is movable into contact with and separable from the recording material bearing member. 
     
     
       17. A cleaning apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said first brush is spaced from said second brush by a predetermined space. 
     
     
       18. A cleaning apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said rubbing member splashes the toner removed by said first brush and said second brush toward a side counter to a side on which said recording material bearing member is disposed. 
     
     
       19. A cleaning apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said cleaning apparatus is detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus. 
     
     
       20. An image forming apparatus, comprising: 
       an image bearing member for bearing a toner image,  
       wherein the toner image on said image bearing member is transferred onto a transfer medium;  
       first and second brushes, which are rotatable and remove toner by abutment against said image bearing member,  
       wherein a rotating direction of said first brush in an abutment portion of said first brush against said image bearing member is toward said second brush, and a rotating direction of said second brush in an abutment portion of said second brush against said image bearing member is toward said first brush;  
       containing means for containing the toner removed by said first brush and said second brush; and  
       a rubbing member that rubs said first brush and said second brush.  
     
     
       21. An image forming apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein said rubbing member is disposed in a vicinity of a straight line connecting between a center of a rotation axis of said first brush and a center of a rotation axis of said second brush. 
     
     
       22. An image forming apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein said rubbing member is disposed at a side apart from said image bearing member with respect to the straight line. 
     
     
       23. An image forming apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein an angle defined by the straight line and a straight line connecting a position in which said first brush and said rubbing member are in contact with each other and the center of a rotation axis of said first brush is 30° or less. 
     
     
       24. An image forming apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein an angle defined by the straight line and a straight line connecting a position in which said second brush and said rubbing member are in contact with each other and the center of a rotation axis of said second brush is 30° or less. 
     
     
       25. An image forming apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein said first brush and said second brush are movable into contact with and separable from said image bearing member. 
     
     
       26. An image forming apparatus according to  claim 20 , further comprising a unit including said first brush, said second brush, said rubbing member and said containing means, wherein said unit is detachably attachable to a main body of said image forming apparatus. 
     
     
       27. An image forming apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein said first brush is spaced from said second brush by a predetermined space. 
     
     
       28. An image forming apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the toner image on said transfer medium, which is transferred from said image bearing member is transferred onto a recording member. 
     
     
       29. An image forming apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein toner images of a plurality of colors are sequentially superimposed and transferred on said transfer medium. 
     
     
       30. An image forming apparatus, comprising: 
       an image bearing member for bearing a toner image;  
       a recording material bearing member that bears a recording material,  
       wherein the toner image on said image bearing member is transferred onto the recording material borne by said recording material bearing member;  
       first and second brushes, which are rotatable, remove toner by abutment against the recording material bearing member,  
       wherein a rotating direction of said first brush in an abutment portion of said first brush against said recording material bearing member is toward said second brush, and a rotating direction of said second brush in an abutment portion of said second brush against said recording material bearing member is toward said first brush;  
       containing means for containing the toner removed by said first brush and said second brush; and  
       a rubbing member that rubs both of said first brush and said second brush.  
     
     
       31. An image forming apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein said rubbing member is disposed in a vicinity of a straight line connecting a center of a rotation axis of said first brush and a center of a rotation axis of said second brush. 
     
     
       32. An image forming apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein said rubbing member is disposed at a side apart from said recording material bearing member with respect to the straight line. 
     
     
       33. An image forming apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein an angle defined by the straight line and a straight line connecting a position in which said first brush and said rubbing member are in contact with each other and the center of a rotation axis of said first brush is 30° or less. 
     
     
       34. An image forming apparatus according to  claim 33 , wherein an angle defined by the straight line and a straight line connecting a position in which said second brush and said rubbing member are in contact with each other and the center of a rotation axis of said second brush is 30° or less. 
     
     
       35. An image forming apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein said first brush and said second brush are movable into contact with and separable from said recording material bearing member. 
     
     
       36. An image forming apparatus according to  claim 30 , further comprising a unit including said first brush, said second brush, said rubbing member, and said containing means, wherein said unit is detachably attachable to a main body of an image forming apparatus. 
     
     
       37. An image forming apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein said first brush is spaced from said second brush by a predetermined space. 
     
     
       38. An image forming apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein toner images of a plurality of colors are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the recording material borne by said recording material bearing member.